2018 Dodge Demon First Test Drive Review

The Dodge Challenger is an automotive legend. When first released back in 1970 it was a stylistic triumph in regards to what was being produced by American manufacturers at the time. With its long hood, multiple engine choices (including the 426 HEMI), it was a muscle car in the truest sense. Then in 2008, with cues taken from the original, Dodge reintroduced the Challenger and once again, knocked it out of the park. However, it’s now 2017, and the question is: how then does one breathe new life into a platform that’s been around for almost a decade? It’s simple. You give it 840-hp, fender flares, 315-series tires at all four corners, make it the fastest street legal production ¼-mile car in the world, and give it an iconic name.

This is the 2018 Dodge Demon and if you haven’t realized it yet, you are staring at a new automotive legend.

For the full review of the 2018 Dodge Demon, specs and thoughts – read on.

2018 Dodge Demon Exterior:

You first notice the flares; those big massive haunches that add an additional 3.5-inches of width to the body. Then there are the black 18×12 5-spoke wheels wearing 315/40-series Nitto drag radials (Demon Box drag skinnies shown). There’s the gaping mouth of the Air-Grabber hood, a rear spoiler that’s there to keep you planted as you cross the 1,320 at 140-mph and, of course, the twin headlight air inlets. The Dodge Demon is the most American-looking automobile produced in the last 30 years. Its presence is unmistakably brash with the attitude of an NFL linebacker. In person the car is bold and muscular. And it’s a car that must be taken seriously, as the performance enhancements done to the exterior are there for one purpose: to make the Demon one of the fastest production automobiles in the world.

2018 Dodge Demon Interior:

3,300 Demons – 3,000 for the U.S. market and 300 for Canada. That’s all that’s being produced, ever. If you’re one of the lucky few to get an allocation, think carefully, because you’ve got some interesting interior options to choose from. For instance, a base model Demon (if there is such a thing) comes with one seat – one, for weight savings. It’s for the driver (thank goodness), however if you want the passenger and rear seats Dodge will gladly sell them to you at the cost of $1.00 a piece. The trunk is also void of any carpet or padding, but again, for $1.00, that padding can be yours. If you want to get all fancy, you can, as heated and cooled seats are available and they’re the same super supportive comfy ones found in the Challenger Hellcat.

An 8.4” touchscreen for Uconnect 8.4 not only handles in-car functions such as navigation, climate and audio, but it also gives one access to the SRT Performance Pages, Drag settings and overall vehicle diagnostics. You can configure transmission and suspension set-up, power output and steering feel, along with drag race settings for launch control, the transbrake and line-lock. The programmed performance pages also let one view a full suite of information such as your ¼-mile ETs, 0-60 times, g-force meter, braking and acceleration along with a host of other performance related information.

2018 Dodge Demon Performance:

0-60 mph in 2.3-seconds, ¼-mile in 9.65-seconds @ 140mph, 0-100 mph in 5.1-seconds, a top speed of 168 mph (tire limited) and it’s the first production car in history to pull a wheelie. All of these performance figures not only make the Demon one of the fastest production automobiles in the world, but also in regards to the automotive spectrum; it’s in a class of its own. With Ford and Chevrolet turning the Mustang and Camaro into sports cars, Dodge saw a door that was WIDE open in terms of creating a street legal production drag car, which is exactly what the Demon is. However, if you think the Demon is a track-only vehicle, think again, because on the street it may be the best production sleeper in existence.

Under the hood is a 6.2L supercharged HEMI V8 that makes 840 hp and 770 lb-ft of torque on 100-octane fuel. The transmission is the same ZF 8-speed automatic found in the Hellcat Challenger, and it’s brilliant. Under those big flares are 315/40-series Nitto NT05R dot drag radials. Those big meats not only help the Demon achieve a 9.65-second ¼-mile time, but improve the overall handling as well. Splurge an extra $1 for the Demon Crate and you’ll get a neatly packed goody box that fits right in the trunk. Here you’ll find a set of skinny front rims, a jack, air compressor, tire gauge, torque wrench, and conical air filter. What’s great about the Demon is that it comes stock with two sets of drag radials. Wear out the rear? No problem – simply rotate the fronts back there and keep on rolling – it’s that simple.

Once at the strip you’ll find a variety of ways to launch the Demon down the track. First and foremost, you can simply pedal it old-school style. Roll up to staging, put one foot on the brake, the other on the gas, haze the tires, then wait for the tree to turn green and hang one. Don’t want to pedal it? Then just use the line-lock button. Using the transbrake (that’s right, it has a transbrake) is a little more complicated, but get it right and the Demon shoots forward like shot through a gun – it’s intense, exhilarating, and boy- do I want one! With this much power and technology it should come as no surprise that the Demon will take time to get used to. Rest assured that you can master it, and when you do it will be one of the most rewarding (and downright fastest) cars you’ll have ever driven – period.

2018 Dodge Demon Safety:

With 840-hp on tap the 2018 Demon comes with a host of safety features. Crumple zones front and rear, airbags throughout the cabin, active head restraints, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, traction control, hill start assist, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning along with a host of other safety features means the Demon is not only one of the quickest production cars in existence, but one of the safest as well.

2018 Dodge Demon Overall:

Dodge built this car for one reason – to be a street legal drag car and to say ***insert EXPLICITVE here*** to every other OEM. The lack of rear seats means the installation of a harness bar or roll cage will be far easier and having only one seat means less weight. With that being said, are you buying a Demon as a show pony or a racecar? This car speaks to me on so many levels. It’s wickedly fast, purpose-built and menacing. Honestly, it might just be the greatest muscle car ever built by any OEM. Plus it comes with a full factory warranty. Base price for all this fun is $86,090.00**, but if you’re interested, you better order one quick as only 3,300 Demons will be made and once they’re sold, you’re out of luck.